Horse Racing
Season
Eclipse Stakes - Form Comments

05/07/2024 12:47

G1 – 1990m – Turf

1 Al Riffa A 1400m G1 winner as a 2yo, and mostly shaped very well since including when a close fourth in a G1 at Longchamp in April. Not quick enough on firm ground over 1900m at Saratoga last time.
2 Hans Andersen Was spoken of a potential Classic colt after winning a Leopardstown G3 last April. But he didn’t prove up to that and also well beaten on his last three starts. Winning chances here look near zero.
3 Stay Alert Didn’t win last season but quickened and then outstayed his five rivals in an 1800m G2 at Newmarket in May. Struggled on slow ground at the Curragh last Saturday. Hard to fancy.
4 City Of Troy His electric surge in the home straight at Epsom resulted in a memorable victory in last month’s Derby with his one career lapse – in the 1600m G1 Classic at Newmarket previously – well forgotten. A brilliant colt whose class may well result in more big-race glory here.
5 Dancing Gemini A fast-finishing second in a 1600m G1 Longchamp Classic on his 2024 return. Made good headway in the Derby at Epsom before his stamina appeared to run out suggesting that this drop to this trip would be a big plus. Best on a good or slower surface.
6 Ghostwriter Unbeaten at two and has finished fourth in two G1 Classics this year, over 1600m at Newmarket and then over 2100m at Chantilly. In the latter his finishing kick looked compromised by the heavy ground so quicker ground here would help.
7 Jayarebe Posted a career best on his latest start when – despite racing keenly early – he proved too strong for eleven rivals in a 1993m G3 at Royal Ascot last month. Fast ground again may help but this task is notably more difficult than that one.
8 See The Fire Very hard to recommend here. Although not disgraced she was outpaced in the closing stages of a Royal Ascot G1 last month and no obvious reason why this rise in trip could lead to victory here.